Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Mr. Gustavo Makanaky, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Japan.

During the meeting, Dr. Diaz provided His Excellency with an overview of JAPOLAC’s mission and ongoing activities, underscoring the Association’s commitment to fostering practical and mutually beneficial exchanges between Japan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

In particular, Dr. Diaz expressed JAPOLAC’s full willingness to collaborate with the Embassy of Colombia, and mentioned an initiative promoted jointly with Kura Sushi to feature Latin American and Caribbean cuisine at the Kura Sushi Pavilion during Expo Osaka 2025. As part of this effort, the Colombian dish Creole Potatoes with Hogao Sauce is being offered to visitors, showcasing a well-known dish of the country.

Furthermore, Dr. Diaz reiterated his support for Ambassador Makanaky’s diplomatic mission, emphasizing that JAPOLAC serves as an additional platform to promote the activities of the Embassy of Colombia in Japan and to provide the Embassy with valuable information relevant to its work.

Ambassador Makanaky warmly welcomed the visit and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about JAPOLAC and its role in strengthening ties between Japan and the Latin American and Caribbean region. He shared his perspectives on the importance of Colombia-Japan diplomatic relations, reaffirming his commitment to deepening the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries across various areas of mutual interest.

With this visit, JAPOLAC reaffirms its dedication to supporting the efforts of Latin American and Caribbean embassies accredited in Japan, particularly in promoting greater awareness of the region’s rich cultural heritage and contributions to Japanese society.

Dr. Diaz was accompanied by senior JAPOLAC directors: Mr. Ajoy Sinha Roy, Mr. Neil Butler, and Mr. Fredy Armijos, who leads the Association’s business promotion initiatives.

On May 29, 2025, students from various faculties at Chiba University participated in the third diplomatic lecture delivered by His Excellency Manuel Roldán, Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala. The event offered a rare opportunity for direct engagement with a Latin American diplomat and left a lasting impression on the 35 participating students, who represented seven faculties across all academic years.

The Ambassador’s presentation was warmly received as both informative and inspiring. Students remarked on the ambassador’s ability to blend deep historical insight with personal anecdotes and moments of humor, making the content not only accessible but genuinely memorable. From the ancient legacy of the Mayan civilization to the vibrant diversity of modern Guatemalan society, the lecture painted a rich and multidimensional portrait of a country many students were discovering in depth for the first time.

A key highlight for many was the exploration of Guatemala’s ethnic diversity—home to 23 different ethnic groups—and the national efforts to provide daily school snacks or light meals at schools, known as refacciones. These practices sparked comparisons with Japan’s own social welfare system and prompted thoughtful reflection on different cultural approaches to addressing poverty and community support.

Students also took an interest in Guatemala’s agricultural exports and its strong trade ties with Japan, noting familiar products like coffee, sugar, and bananas. Several were especially intrigued by Guatemala’s renowned coffee and the parallels between Guatemalan coffee culture and Japan’s own tea traditions.

Another topic that drew attention was the ongoing border issue between Guatemala and Belize, which many students found eye-opening. Living in an island nation, the concept of land border disputes is foreign to most Japanese students. The Ambassador’s insights on this subject offered a valuable perspective on geopolitics and international law.

What stood out the most for many was the ambassador’s personal story—his passion for diplomacy and his decision to pursue this path despite early opposition from his family. Students expressed admiration for his commitment to sharing Guatemalan culture with the world and found his words deeply motivating as they think about their own careers in a globalized world.

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), participated in a reception celebrating the Paraguay–Taiwan–Japan Friendship, hosted by H.E. Mr. Santiago Peña, President of the Republic of Paraguay, on Tuesday, May 22, 2025, at a hotel in Tokyo. The event was held as part of President Peña’s official visit to Japan, including Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai.

On this occasion, Dr. Diaz extended his heartfelt congratulations to H.E. Mr. Mario Toyotoshi, Ambassador of Paraguay to Japan, for the successful coordination of the presidential visit and its remarkable outcomes.

A major highlight of the visit was the formal elevation of Japan–Paraguay relations to a strategic partnership, underscoring Paraguay’s growing significance in Japan’s foreign policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean. This development marks a historic milestone in bilateral relations, paving the way for deeper collaboration in key areas of mutual interest.

Other important outcomes of the visit included an agreement in principle on a Japan–Paraguay Investment Agreement, aimed at encouraging greater economic exchange, and the waiver of short-term visa requirements for Paraguayan citizens, which is expected to promote stronger people-to-people ties and enhance opportunities for business and academic cooperation.

During his summit meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, President Peña reaffirmed Paraguay’s commitment to shared values such as democracy, the rule of law, and international cooperation. The two leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration in fields including trade, infrastructure, space technology, and strategic connectivity, with special emphasis on Paraguay’s Bioceanic Corridor, a project that aligns with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision.

President Peña’s visit and the outcomes achieved during his stay in Japan signify a new chapter in the Japan–Paraguay partnership, reflecting the increasing importance of Latin America in Japan’s global diplomatic and economic engagement.

 

The Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), in cooperation with Chiba University, successfully organized the second diplomatic lecture featuring H.E. Gisela Garcia, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Japan. The event was held at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, drawing students from various faculties including Law, Politics, Economics, and Education.

Ambassador Garcia delivered an engaging lecture introducing the Republic of Cuba’s history, culture, geography, international diplomacy and daily life sparking significant interest among students. The session offered a rare opportunity for direct exchange with a high-ranking diplomat, enriching the university’s global education initiative and deepening students’ understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The lecture was conducted in English and aimed at providing Japanese students with practical knowledge of  Cuba. This is the second of the diplomatic lecture series with Latin America and Caribbean embassies, designed to immerse students in an international learning environment and broaden their intercultural communication skills.

Feedback from participating students reflected strong appreciation for the Ambassador’s insights. One student noted, “Today’s lecture was impressive, and I learned a lot about Cuba. It was a valuable opportunity to broaden my perspective.” Others expressed gratitude for the Ambassador’s generosity in sharing her time and experiences, describing the talk as “eye-opening” and “memorable.”

JAPOLAC remains committed to promoting intercultural dialogue and international awareness among Japanese university students. This lecture marks another step in strengthening the bridge of friendship and academic collaboration between Japan and the Latin American and Caribbean region.

His Excellency Mr. Gabriel Boric Font, President of the Republic of Chile, paid an official visit to Japan from May 11 to 12, 2025. This marked his first visit to Japan since taking office in March 2022 and served to further strengthen the multifaceted ties between Chile and Japan.

Summit Meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba

On May 11, President Boric held a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, especially as the two nations approach the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2027.

Economic and Trade Cooperation

Discussions emphasized deepening cooperation in the mining sector, with Chile being Japan’s largest supplier of copper and lithium. Prime Minister Ishiba expressed interest in leveraging Japan’s advanced technologies to enhance this partnership. Additionally, both leaders highlighted the importance of free trade amid global economic challenges, including the impact of U.S. tariff measures. They acknowledged the need for resilient supply chains and mutual support to navigate the shifting global economic landscape.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Human Development

Recognizing the shared vulnerability to natural disasters, President Boric acknowledged Japan’s support for Chile’s initiatives in disaster prevention, notably the “KIZUNA Project” aimed at developing human resources in Latin America. Prime Minister Ishiba discussed Japan’s efforts in enhancing disaster evacuation shelters and expressed intent to promote further bilateral cooperation in this area.

Space and Scientific Cooperation

The leaders discussed expanding collaboration in space and astronomy, referencing the recent completion of the University of Tokyo’s Atacama Observatory telescope site in Chile. This partnership underscores the mutual interest in scientific advancement and exploration.

Participation in Expo 2025 Osaka

On May 12, President Boric attended Chile’s National Day celebration at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, where the country’s rich cultural heritage and innovation potential were prominently showcased. As part of its ongoing efforts to promote Latin American and Caribbean cuisine in Japan, JAPOLAC organized a special tasting of Chilean erizo (sea urchin) last year at the Embassy of Chile, in collaboration with Kura Sushi. This Chilean delicacy is now featured at the Kura Sushi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, alongside other representative dishes from the Latin America and Caribbean region.

As part of its mission, JAPOLAC continues to support the work of the Embassies of Latin America and the Caribbean in Japan to raise awareness of the LAC region and foster mutual understanding and cooperation.